ESUN EPC polycarbonte filament

[willnewton]

Just did a couple of prints with the EPC sample that William at http://http://www.intservo.com/products ... 5294527043 tossed into my last order. I have only done a few test prints, but it prints really well with a Makergear M2 and v4 nozzle.

I will put up more later, but this is an FFF file based on the one jimc posted that will give you a good start with the M2 with a v4 nozzle. I tweaked a few details, but it is mostly the same. I lowered the temp 5ºC, changed layer one print speed to 60%, changed nozzle size to match the v4, changed shells from 1 to 2 and top and bottom shells to 2. Jimc also has a couple of tweaks to the G-code scripts, I left those in. You will need to tweak as needed, but it's a good start for sure.

I printed on blue painter's tape with only the slightest curling at the very sharpest corners. Rounded corners were fine. Keep that bed temp high and fans off!

This FFF file is for Simplify3D 3.0. The test prints look quite nice.

[jimc]

Yup now that i have a v4 here i have noticed the temp of that runs 5-10 deg hotter than e3d so your change is appropriate.

[willnewton]

Jim, I reduced my temp because I noticed a slight yellowing of the extruded filament as the print first starts. This was only present in the first purge, so it is probably caused by the filament sitting in the nozzle during preheating a bit longer than it should. The esun temps. say it will print from 235ºC to 265º

Also, I forgot to mention I did turn on the option to have the temps stabilize in my fff file. I didn't think to check how yours was set and the first print started without me realizing the bed temp was only about 50ºC. By layer 2-3 the print was coming up!

Also, this is the first time I have used a bed setting this high. Yes, it's hot! Surprisingly, the EPC released pretty quickly without waiting for a drastic cooldown period. I might not try it with a large flat piece, but for my small prints it released around 80º with mild effort.

I also tried your 94% honeycomb fill, because, why not? It has quite a wiggle set that way.

I just need my corners to bulge a bit less, which I just need to dial in a bit, it is not bad at all though. Print quality is pretty nice I have to say. Actually, maybe a hair better than a recent PLA print I just pulled.

My initial impression is positive, but I have another test for it. I have a phone mount I designed that fits my car vents. It worked great in the summer with the AC on, but when I turned the heater on for winter, the PLA mounting arms sagged and the phone mount would fall off the vent.

I have already printed new arms in EPC and will give them the heater test to see how they hold up!

[jimc]

i got some tech specs from esun awhile back. if i remember right the pc has a glass point about 25c over abs so yes its pretty heat resistant. i can't remember what the bed temp was set to in the fff. i was running at 110 for awhile but then i lowered to 100 and saw no difference so thats where i have it now.

[willnewton]

Here is a pic of the phone holder printed in EPC. I had no issues with this print as far as the EPC went. This is a 3 piece print and there are some recesses on the back of the plate to receive the arms. I did not use supports in that area to test the bridging just a bit, it did well. I did use supports for the area around the lip and they snapped away easily and cleanly.

I did not notice a smell during the quicker prints, but the large plate took over an hour. There was a mild "hot plastic" smell from near the printer while it printed. It was not terribly offensive, but I might not want to sit next to it while it runs a 4-hour print. Not really bad or anything, just a slightly noticeable, similar in odor strength to PLA, which is not bad (maybe would be better if it smelled like the same as "PLA-waffles" ).

This stuff prints clear and pretty.

[DrRobot]

Great! I placed an order for PETG from William at intservo.com and asked him if he could add a little sample of the EPC for me to try. I should be printing it this weekend.

I was watching a video about printing regular polycarbonate from another manufacturer and there were complaints about the smell, so I was concerned.

I am about to put together an order too! Do you ask samples by sending email to their customer service? And is there any active coupon we can use? Thanks

[willnewton]

You can request a sample with an order. I am not sure if you can just request a free sample without an order or if you will have to pay to have that sample shipped. I have only requested samples with an order of other stuff. You can request a sample during the checkout process.

You get enough to try a small test print or two and print a medium sized object, like the phone mount.

I have don't have a coupon code, but you get free shipping with $60 order or free shipping via Amazon Prime orders.

You can email customerservice@intservo.com and ask William for more details.

[jsc]

That's a nice phone holder. Vent mount?

[willnewton]

Yep, for an iPhone 5s with Otterbox commuter case. It's mounted and working well in my 2006 Tahoe. I need to put it up on thingiverse. I have not tested it with the heat running yet. It's still in the 90°F range here!

[zemlin]

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... er+PC-PLUS - Polymaker PC-Plus in Black, White, and Clear. .75 KG spools too - so a bit less expensive than eSun. Haven't printed with either yet, although I plan to run some test parts with the eSun this weekend.

http://www.amazon.com/Gizmo-Dorks-Polyc ... e+filament
Gizmo-Dorks has PC in Blue and Black.